June 15, 200421 yr THE mathematical equation for the perfect joke has been revealed by scientists. Timandra Harkness and Helen Pilcher's formula is c=(m+nO)/p. The scientific pair are also stand-up comedians who make up the Comedy Research Project, which they run with the Science Museum in London. In the formula, c is the funniness of the joke; m is the comic moment which is arrived at by multiplying the punchline's funniness rating by the length of the joke's build-up. nO is the number of times the subject undergoes a pratfall, multiplied by the ouch factor - the social and physical pain of the indignity involved. The total is divided by the number of puns, p. The equation shows that if a joke consists of a long shaggy dog story, it doesn't require such a funny punchline as a shorter wisecrack. Puns weaken a joke because they tend to encourage groans rather than laughter.
June 15, 200421 yr I hope they received a big government contract for research in that area. They are missing the "S" factor. Everybody, but guys especially, will laugh at a bad joke if it will lead to sex with someone they think is sexy.
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